2005 press releases
USAID Signs Agreements with Seven Lebanese Organizations Totaling $228,375
October 21, 2005
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/Lebanon Mission Director Raouf Youssef signed grant agreements with seven Lebanese non-governmental organizations totaling $228,375 at the U.S. Embassy on October 21, 2005.
The organizations work in the socio-economic and humanitarian fields of media, care for the hearing and speech impaired, the mentally challenged, medical services, nature preservation, honey and wax production and wildlife. The seven projects will directly benefit over 23,000 individuals, including media professionals, physically and mentally challenged individuals, medical patients, beekeepers and rural residents from throughout Lebanon.
USAID signed agreements with the following organizations:
1) $50,000 to the Media Graduates’ Association Press Club in Beirut to purchase equipment to upgrade the interpretation services of the Press Club center, and to organize computer and skills training session workshops for journalists and media professionals. USAID’s assistance will enhance the Press Club’s outreach efforts in organizing international workshops, conferences, and other media-related events. 180 media professionals per year will benefit from the training sessions offered by the center.
2) $23,000 to the Hearing and Speech Impaired Organization in Lebanon in Bourj Abou Haydar to purchase equipment to enhance the center’s capabilities in serving hearing and speech impaired individuals from throughout Lebanon. More than 300 individuals are currently members of the organizations and will benefit from USAID’s assistance.
3) $48,000 to the Friends of the Disabled Association I’dad Center in Mechref in Chouf, to enhance the early intervention program at the center. I’dad center accommodates 84 mentally challenged students aged between 13 and 24 years old. USAID’s assistance will help I’dad Center conduct a parents’ training program to raise awareness among family members to become key persons in the progress of their child.
4) $20,875 to Irfan Establishment Irfan Hospital in Simkanieh in Chouf to equip the hospital with an anesthesia unit, thus helping the hospital reach the standards to pass the accreditation program and sustain contributions from the Ministry of Health. USAID’s assistance will allow the hospital to increase its capacity to accommodate 2,000 patients per month, coming from different Lebanese regions.
5) $29,000 to Friends of Horsh Ehden in Zogharta to produce signage, brochures and maps promoting eco and rural tourism in the Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve. The organization is dedicated to the preservation and management of the reserve through reforestation and cleaning campaigns. USAID’s assistance will not only benefit 1,000 individuals per year by spreading awareness, but will also help increase the number of visitors to the Reserve by 25%.
6) $25,500 to the Lebanese Association for Substitute Agriculture to establish a honey extraction and wax production center in Baalback, which will also serve as a marketing outlet for the products. The project will benefit more than 300 beekeepers in the area by increasing their income.
7) $32,000 to Animal Encounter in Aley to establish a section for visitors, a library, as well as produce eco-tourism publications. The organization’s wildlife center houses more than ten species of endangered animals, receiving more than 20,000 visitors every year, including students. USAID’s assistance will improve the capabilities of the wildlife center to boost the economic cycle in the area by attracting a larger number of visitors.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has worked in Lebanon since 1951, funding development projects to benefit Lebanese citizens. USAID’s program promotes economic opportunities, job creation, good governance and environmental policies and practices in rural Lebanon. USAID provides $35 million assistance a year and works in partnership with U.S. and Lebanese organizations throughout the country. USAID strengthens the relationship between the people of Lebanon and the people of the United States, and promotes a shared vision of democracy and socio-economic development.
For more information about USAID’s projects in Lebanon, visit USAID’s web site www.usaidlebanon.org.lb.